Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Campaign: Market Hall

You step into the Market Hall, to find a great space, some sixty feet long and thirty feet wide. There are many stalls set up, selling salt, beer, snuff, wine, carved wooden toys, parchment, glasswares and brass instruments, all the luxury goods made in Dachau. A twin line of pillars, surmounted by great arches holding up the twenty-foot ceiling, stand between the tables and frames supporting various goods which are hung on display. Straw has been scattered over the floor, as here and there goats, pigs and chickens roam freely between the tables along with both the patrons and artisans. These are not the merchants of the guild; the main floor is opened each Sunday for those craftsmen and peddlers who work in shops in the hills surrounding the town, who must have a protected place to sell their valuables.

At each end of the hall are a flight of stairs, without railings, which follow the end walls up into the ceiling. At the bottom of each lounge three guards, while one stands ostensibly at attention.

On the pillar nearest to the door where you enter is a notice board. On it is nailed a piece of parchment which reads, “The town Brux herewith annouces that a price guarantee will be granted for beef at 3,231 gold pieces per ton. This guarantee is valid for a delivery that arrives no later than the first day of June”

Above that is a second notice, which reads, “The town of Dachau seeks a company of soldiers who will perform duties in the defense of those good families that dwell within. There is need for no less than thirty men, well-equipped, led by a learned gentleman of quality standing. The weekly pay shall be 347 gold pieces”

And above that, a third notice, which reads, “The Lord Mayor’s election is to take place on the 24 May 1650. The following citizens have been nominated to date: The competant Lord Mayor Martin Folkes. The competant Councillor Erich Kinski. The competant Patrician Eduard Johannsen. The experience Patrician Eberhardt Hornung”

At the very bottom of these notices is a small wooden carved sign which reads, “Especially recommended today in the guild hall, Chicken pate with a good plum puree”

actually - no that may be too presumptous.I'll hang back - try to engage the guards in conversation. Assuming they're amenable: "I hope to ask a question. My patron is seeking to hire guards for a journey he and I must make to Ingoldstadt.Would you know of any armsmen, such as yourself, that might be available?"

The second floor has been prepared for a banquet. There are six tables, each with fourteen settings, tablecloths, pewter candlesticks, porcelain plates, copper cutlery and ceramic cups. Dinner has not yet been served, but about a dozen gentlemen and an equal number ladies are standing in the open area between the table and the left wall, gossiping. Before you can move any further forward, a shorter, well-fed man standing next to a tall, small-topped table holding only a book places a gentle hand on your shoulder. He has been looking at your fairly acceptable but road-dusted attire and asks, “Kind sir, you come from which city?”

"Sirs, I've not meant to sow discord among you. I know nothing of Ingolstadt - What business my patron has in that town is no ess of mine - I've only been sent to hire guardsmen for the way - surely the long siege has left the countryside a dangerous place..."Do you know if any of the merchants here today are from that town? Perhaps they would know also a good guardsmen that would accept more than adequate commensuration?"

“This is the Guild’s Hall Dinner. I am the concierge of the dinner. It is restricted to members of the Dachau merchant's guild and to visiting guild members who visit here from other towns. Are you a merchant, sir?”

Josef,

The fourth guard addresses you. “Ignore them, they’ll prattle on like that all day. I don’t doubt there’s one of the high gentlemen from Ingolstadt, but that’s none of my business.” He looks at you sideways in your thin cotton shirt and wool breeches, wearing no proper jacket. “You don’t look like anyone able to hire people that I’ve ever known.”

"Indeed - no doubt you're a perceptive guard. I am of an order that undertakes a vow of poverty, and attend to the spiritual betterment of my patron." I lean in from the waist -"This iswhy he trusts me with a large potion of his resources.""I'll be on my way then..."Speaking to the third guard "Do you have family there, or letters you would send back? I would be happy to help you, as I will be going there already..."

I bob my head in mute apology and shuffle out of the hall. I will get some bread from the gasthaus and wander aimlessly in the streets, hands tucked behind back for an hour (two rings of church bells? a little over an hour? anyway...) I've got my eye out for nothing in particular and would rather be preoccupied and alone for a while.

Your spell will take one round to throw. A round lasts six seconds. You are standing face to face with the concierge. You manage to get about five words out of your mouth when the concierge will simply reach out, give you a hard push, and destroy your concentration.

All right. You're not surprised (why would you be?) I will give you the initiative, since the concierge seems only interested in falling back and he'll be able to do so unless your desire is to strike him in the face before he cries out. Which he seems intent on doing. Your action?

It may be too late to talk your way out. It's very likely the concierge has no idea what spell you were going to cast, and his heart now pounding in his chest as he imagines your intent was to destroy everyone in the building, he shouts, "GUARDS!"

You now instantly have the attention of every person in the room. Will you go quietly?

Remembering the guards at the foot of the stairs, Tiberius fears that he is trapped and imagines that running at this moment would present an even blacker picture. Tiberius stays where he is, keeping his hands visible and away from his weapons, hoping for the best, but fearing the worst.

Additional Content

Began playing Dungeons and Dragons at the age of 15, thirty-eight years ago. I am a steadfast AD&D gamer, but I have made so many changes to the original system that my present model is something of a Frankenstein's monster of role-playing design. I continue to make new changes every day to my game's structure and function.

The Net has described me as a 'mad scientist of RPG blogging,' and a 'Quixotic bastard' ... and also 'the most gonzo - and the grouchiest - old school DM.'

Progress on The Fifth Man

For a period going forward, I will be rewriting the last third of the book as a second draft. I will begin recording that progress also as soon as I pick up the task again. It has been more than two weeks now and I apologize to my backers; but rest assured, I'm sorting myself out and I'll get started again soon.

Progress on the third draft, finalized (will likely be some continuity fixes) stand as follows:

June 29, 2017

Distance yesterday: 0 words

Total distance: 75,490

Chapter in progress: 17

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